Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu telephoned Anthony Joshua on Monday to express his sympathies after the former heavyweight boxing champion was involved in a fatal road collision that claimed two lives.
The president, who is currently overseas, spoke directly with the 36-year-old boxer and his mother following the tragedy in Ogun State.
"I spoke with AJ on the phone to personally convey my condolences over the death of his two associates. I wished him well and prayed for him. He assured me that he is receiving the best care in the hospital," Tinubu said.
The Nigerian leader added: "I also spoke with AJ's mother and prayed for her. She was very appreciative of my call.
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Tinubu also contacted Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, who was at the hospital with Joshua.
The crash occurred shortly after 11am on Monday on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway near Makun.
The Lexus Joshua was in then collided with a truck that was stationary at the roadside.
Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu telephoned Anthony Joshua on Monday to express his sympathies after the former heavyweight boxing champion was involved in a fatal road collision that claimed two lives
|X
Two male foreign nationals, who have since been named as team members and close confidents of Joshua, were killed instantly in the impact.
Their bodies have been taken to Livewell Morgue in Sagamu.
Five men were travelling in the vehicle at the time of the collision. Joshua had been seated behind the driver, with another passenger beside him and a fourth occupant in the front passenger seat.
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Anthony Joshua appeared dazed in video footage that emerged on social media after his car crash | XA second vehicle carrying his security team was following behind the Lexus when the accident happened.
Joshua sustained only minor injuries despite the severity of the collision. Video footage circulating online showed the 36-year-old appearing dazed and shirtless amid broken glass in the wreckage.
The Ogun State Government said Joshua "narrowly escaped death" in the incident.
Subsequent footage captured the former world champion sitting in the front seat of another vehicle while speaking with officials at the scene.
Security personnel from his convoy carried out the initial rescue of both Joshua and the driver before emergency services arrived.
An eyewitness who spoke to Punch newspaper described how bystanders assisted in the immediate aftermath, flagging down passing vehicles to help. Federal Road Safety Corps officers reached the scene within minutes of the collision.
Anthony Joshua's boxing career hangs in the balance following his car crash in Nigeria
| GETTYThe Ogun State Government has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
The badly damaged Lexus was removed to the Sagamu Motor Traffic Division office and will be the subject of a thorough investigation.
Governor Abiodun assured President Tinubu that he would ensure Joshua receives the highest standard of care during his recovery.
In a statement, the state government described the incident as "deeply unfortunate and painful" given the loss of life and injuries sustained by others.
"Our hearts go out to the bereaved families who lost their loved ones in this tragic incident, which the State considers a devastating loss," a spokesperson said, offering prayers for the departed and those recovering from their injuries.